Prohibitory orders clamped in communally tense Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Sept 6 (ANI): Authorities in Orissa on Saturday clamped prohibitory orders restricting Hindu rallies in the state, following orders from the Supreme Court. Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the criminal procedure code were issued in the wake of the Supreme Court order following spurt in violence in the State, sparked by the killing of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader. As per the orders of the Supreme Court, we have taken efforts to control the public rally. We have clamped Article 144 in some areas to maintain peace and law and order. We will implement it fully, Himanshu Lal, Deputy Commissioner of police told reporters in Bhubaneshwar on Saturday. Security has been beefed up in parts of the state and policemen have been deployed outside places of worship. Members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) criticised the restrictions as a violation of their fundamental rights. State government is not trying to catch hold of killers instead its being unfair to the seers. They are restricting us from entering temples and this is a violation of our fundamental rights. Such thing should not be tolerated. The people of Orissa will decide the fate of this government, said Subash Chouhan, RSS State convener. Violence was sparked off when about 30 heavily armed men raided a Hindu religious home housing mostly orphans in Kandhamal District on August 23 and killed five people, including a religious leader linked to VHP and opposed to conversion of tribals to Christianity. Police blamed the killings on local Maoist rebels taking sides in a controversy over religious conversions, but Hindus say Christians were to blame for the killings. Following that on August 25 a mob burned down an orphanage at Bargah after driving children away. However, a 22-year-old woman getting trapped in the orphanage was killed in the fire. Hindu protestors also destroyed several churches, blocked traffic with burning tyres and clashed with police. Police sources said that by attacking Hindus, the Maoists were trying to win support among the region’’s poor tribes, many of whom have converted to Christianity. (ANI)